So, your family has come to a decision to sell your house. Whatever your reason may be, just be sure to do the needed repairs before you entertain buyers.
There is one important rule here in selling a house: You may be saying goodbye to your house, but this was once your house. Allow other people to also call it home.
We are not just being sentimental here. This is actually a practical advise for home sellers. The main key here is preparation.
You do not need to repair everything but as the saying goes, "First impressions, last." Aside from having aesthetic appeal, the chance of finding a buyer is higher. Moreover, you could sell your house for a bigger price.
Here's a checklist:
1. Change Non-working Light Bulbs
You must always change your busted light bulbs, according to In Man.
If the buyer drops by nearing twilight, he will not be able to appreciate much of the beauty of your house if he cannot actually see it. This also leaves a bad impression. The client could be thinking, "Does this house have some electrical installation problem?"
2. Repair Roof Leaks
There is no escaping this repair. Leaks coming from your roof need immediate action, notes McGeough LaMacchia Realty Inc. Those leaks will soon smear your walls and damage your flooring. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Better yet, imagine this: Your client visited on a sunny day and there were no signs of your leaky roof. Just when he was about to officially buy your house, it rained. That would be an embarrassing tale. Potential clients could claim that you withheld some vital information and charge you with misrepresentation.
3.Paint Walls and Ceilings
This is a simple act but can create a dramatic impact. Buyers spend more time than you would think staring at ceilings, according to About Home. Buyers are looking for signs of a leaky roof, says About Home. That's why the walls should be immaculate with no signs of water runs, grease, smoke or ceiling cracks.
Same thing for the walls, they must be clean and smudge-free.
Tip: Use fiberglass tape on large cracks and then cover with joint compound and sand, says About Home. Paint a neutral color such as light tan or if you are confident, white.
4. Repair Your Cabinets
You may do minor repairs like fixing the handle or replacing a really worn out cabinet door. Repairing them will be a good idea because, chances are, they will be eyesores during your open house. You may also repaint your cabinets for a fresher look, says About home.
5. Fix the Exterior
Do not forget that this is the first thing that the buyers will see. Fix and paint your fences, says About Home. Repair your broken windows. Patch some cracks in the driveway with cement.
Get rid of dying plants, you may also plant new ones. They will be an inviting sight.
However, if some repairs will be too costly, you may just disclose everything that needed repair to your buyer for both side's security and safety, according to Realtor.
